Airbus stuck to ambitions for a partial recovery in jet production later this year, amid speculation that it may have to delay the move as Europe faces new coronavirus lockdowns.
Europe's Airbus posted stronger-than-expected deliveries of 566 jets in 2020, remaining the world's largest planemaker as a year of pandemic-induced upheaval for air travel coincided with a grounding crisis at U.S. rival Boeing.
A global equities rally pushed Japan's Nikkei to a more than three-decade high and the Nasdaq Composite Index to a new record on Friday while safe havens such as Treasuries and gold sold off as investors looked past political unrest in the United States and focused on further stimulus to mend the economic damage of the coronavirus pandemic.
Deutsche Bank AG agreed to pay more than $124 million to avoid prosecution and resolve charges it violated U.S. anti-bribery and commodities trading laws, the latest blow for the German bank as it tries to repair its image after a series of scandals.
The S&P 500 retreated slightly from a record high on Friday following a report that Democratic U.S. Senator Joe Manchin opposed bigger direct checks, throwing cold water on possible further stimulus payments.
Ford Motor Co, Toyota Motor Corp , Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Nissan Motor Co Ltd said on Friday they would cut vehicle production this month due to a shortage of semiconductors, becoming the latest automakers hit by a chip crunch as demand rebounds from the coronavirus crisis.
Oil prices hit their highest level in nearly a year and were on track for a weekly gain on Friday, supported by Saudi Arabia's pledge to cut output and strong gains in major equity markets.
U.S. stocks lost momentum on Friday with the S&P 500 easing from record levels as losses in financials and industrials intensified after surging this week on hopes for further economic aid under a Democrat-controlled Congress.
With uncertainties regarding U.S. elections fading, some investors expect company earnings and economic data to play a greater role in moving stock prices this year.
